SSL DECRYPTION

Over the last few years, there has been a seismic shift in how Google, Facebook, and other leading websites handle Internet security—and this shift has enormous implications for school web filtering. The rise of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption has made it harder to monitor and filter students’ Internet use effectively. Currently most search programs (Google, YouTube and Yahoo) utilize SSL encryption which prevents the mandated filtering required by state and federal regulations.

In order for the SSL Decryption software to work, each device connecting to the MCS Network will need to have a server certificate installed. This electronic certificate will allow the server to process the Internet traffic from that device. ALL personal devices that connect to the MCS WiFi will be required to have the certificate installed.

WHAT IS SSL DECRYPTION?

Across the nation, school districts are adding SSL decryption capabilities into their filtering systems. Without SSL Decryption, the iBoss filter cannot interprete the keywords used in searches. Additionally, without SSL decryption, students easily can use any one of the millions of proxy bypass servers on the Internet, allowing them to slip past most filtering systems undetected. The encrypted session provides no information for the filtering system to detect the activity and block or control it.

WHAT EFFECT WILL THIS HAVE ON MCS STAFF AND STUDENTS?

In order for the SSL Decryption software to work, each device connecting to the MCS Network will need to have a server certificate installed. This electronic certificate will allow the server to process the Internet traffic from that device. ALL personal devices that connect to the MCS WiFi will be required to have the certificate installed.

WHAT WEBSITES WILL THE DISTRICT BE DECRYPTING WEB TRAFFIC TO?

The current list of website included in the decryption process includes: